Apparatus for forming nonwoven open-mesh netting and for incorporating the netting in a laminate

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for forming a nonwoven open-mesh netting which has at least one pair of forwardly moving parallel rows of pins and a traversing shuttle which loops a plurality of strands around the pins. As the pins advance in one horizontal plane and the shuttle moves back and forth from one row of pins to the other in another horizontal plane, the strands are crisscrossed to form the netting. Means are provided to achieve positive anchoring of the strands on the pins. The apparatus also includes means to incorporate the netting thus formed into a laminate.

United States Patent [72] Inventor MarkS.Eaton 1,923,710 8/1933 Collingsetal................ 156/440' Rte. 1,Box812,Bonita Spring, Fla.33923 3,321,348 5/1967 156/177 [21] Appl. No. 815,409

FOREIGN PATENTS 9/1966 GreatBritain..,.............

Primary Examiner-Benjamin A. Borchelt Assistant Examiner-G. E. Montone Attorney-Bessie A. Lepper [22] Filed Apr-.11, 1969 [45] Patented Sept. 21,197]

[54] APPARATUS FOR FORMING NONWOVEN OPEN- MESH NE'ITING AND FOR INCORPORATING THE NETTING IN A LAMINATE 18 Claims, 15 Drawing Figs.

ABSTRACT: An apparatus for forming a nonwoven open- 156/440 mesh netting which has at least one pair of forwardly moving 156/177, 156/179, 156/181 parallel rows of pins and a traversing shuttle which loops a plu- D04h 3/05 rality of strands around the pins. As the pins advance in one 156/440, horizontal plane and the shuttle moves back and forth from 177, 436, 439 one row of pins to the other in another horizontal plane, the

strands are crisscrossed to form the netting. Means are provided to achieve positive anchoring of the strands on the pins. The apparatus also includes means to incorporate the netting thus formed into a laminate.

[51] Int. [50] Field [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1917 Howard..............1.........

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Mark SEuton BY 3 'fi/ 7 j Attorney APPARATUS FOR FORMING NONWOVEN OPEN-MESH NETTING AND FOR INCORPORATING THE NETTING IN A LAMINATE This invention relates to apparatus for making nonwoven, open-mesh netting and for the interpositioning of the netting between two materials to form a laminate.

The netting formed by the apparatus of this invention is formed of strands of yarn, thread, monofilaments or the like laid at an angle to crossing strands. Thus the netting comprises a mesh of a plurality of parallel strands all in a common plane crossed by a plurality of other parallel strands in essentially the same horizontal plane. Although the open-mesh netting of this type can be bonded at the strand crossover points, thisis not usually done, for the netting is generally used as the central component in a laminated assembly and is adhered in place during lamination. As an example of a use for such netting, I may cite its incorporation between two strips of kraft paper to form a reinforced paper.

A number of different types of apparatus for forming this type of netting have been described in the prior art. One important class of such apparatus provides means for moving a number of parallel anchoring pins forward while a traversing mechanism cycles back and forth to engage a number of strands with the pins. The apparatus of this invention belongs to this general class and represents an improvement over the known devices of this class.

Four U.S. Patents, namely U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,211,851, 2,812,797, 3,345,231 and 3,345,232 are believed to represent the prior art most closely related to the apparatus of this invention. U.S. Pat. No. 1,21 1,851 to Howard uses carriers for a series of upright bent fingers-which are periodically raised to intercept or engage traversing strand tubes to loop the strands of the netting around the upright fingers. The strand tubes are mounted on a long frame which is swung back and forth on a shaft supported above the center of the main frame.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,812,797 discloses apparatus in which the strand tubes are mounted on a swinging frame which is caused to take a sudden dip near the end of the stroke to position the ends of the strand nozzles lower than the upper end of the pins which are advanced forwardly. The apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 1,21 1,851 requires that the traversing strand tubes be always maintained above the horizontal level of the pins; while the apparatus of U.S. Pat: No. 2,812,797 requires that the strand tubes be maintained above the horizontal level of the pins except at the very end of each stroke when they are caused to dip. The mechanisms employed by these two prior art patents are complicated and do not always achieve a completely positive looping of the traversing strands around the pins.

The apparatus of U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,345,231 and 3,345,232 forms a narrow netting by oscillating a strand tube holder on a fixed pivot axis to loop the strands on two closely spaced parallel rows of pins while the strand tubes are essentially moving in a forward direction at a speed more or less equal to the forward directional speed of the upright pins, and then widening the netting by spreading the rows of pins apart to the desired width of the netting. The necessity to pull the netting out to the desired width can place excessive stresses and strains on the strands causing some of them to rupture. Each such strand rupture must be repaired, an operation which can require the stopping of the apparatus which in turn means that the downtime can amount to an undesirable percentage of the operating time. Moreover, stretching the netting out to its final width causes the strands to slide up and down on the pins or be pulled around the pins, either of which causes wear of the pins and strand-cutting of the pins.

It would therefore be desirable to have an apparatus for forming nonwoven open-mesh netting, the apparatus being capable of always effecting positive looping of the strands around the pins by a simple, uncomplicated and reliably operating mechanism and of forming the netting initially at its finally desired width.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide an apparatus for forming nonwoven open-mesh netting which is relatively simple, reliable to operate and capable of continuous operation with a minimum of downtime. It is another object of this invention to provide apparatus of the character described which is flexible in its operation with respect to adjustments in lineal spacing between the strands forming the netting, with respect to the angles defined by the crossing strands, and with respect to the type or types of strand material used in forming the netting. It is yet another object of this invention to provide apparatus of the character described which is adapted for integrationwith and incorporation into apparatus for forming laminates, particularly those in which the netting is interposed and adhered between two sheets of material, e.g., strips of paper. Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the constructions hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

The apparatus of this invention provides means for accurately looping a plurality of traversing strands around a forward moving parallel pair of upright moving pins, the predetermined distance between the parallel pair of upright pins being essentially the desired predetermined width of the nonwoven open mesh. The traversing mechanism and the pins remain in the same planes thus eliminating any necessity for raising the level of the pins, lowering the level of the strand tubes, moving the strand tubes in a forward direction equal to that of the pins, or of shifting any of these components before, during or after the looping step. Moreover, in the apparatus of this invention the parallel pin rows are maintained at the same spacing thus eliminating the necessity to spread them apart along with the attendant danger of rupturing some of the strands or pins. Finally, the apparatus of this invention provides for precise timing of the mechanism for advancing the pins and of the mechanism for traversing the strands and perfect coordination of the timing for both of these mechanisms. The result of this timing and coordination is the positive and continual looping of all of strands around predetermined pins for each stroke of the traversing mechanism.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sheet assembly partly assembled and showing a nonwoven open-mesh netting incorporated in a laminated structure formed in one embodiment of the apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 2, with a portion of the frame and of the shuttle-driving mechanisms removed;

FIG. 4 is a detail of the main driving shaft;

FIG. 5 is an end view of one embodiment of a shuttle and a portion of its associated driving mechanism;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view through the shuttle of FIG. 5 taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the driving mechanism associated with the traversing mechanism;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a shuttle mechanism;

FIG. 9 is a cross section of a portion of the shuttle mechanism of FIG. 8 taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 illustrates four different modes of anchoring strands to the strand pins;

FIG. 11 illustrates, in a top plan view, the manner in which a second open mesh netting may be placed on a first netting, thus reducing the mesh size of the finished netting;

FIG. 12 is aside elevation of the chains and drives for another embodiment of the apparatus constructed to superimpose one mesh on another;

FIG. 13 is a detail of a section of two of the chains of FIG. 10 and the pins carried by them;

FIG. 14 is a cross section of the apparatus of FIG. 10 taken along line 1414 ofFIG. l2; and

FIG. 15 shows in diagrammatic fashion the mechanism by which twostrips of paper are fed to achieve lamination of the netting between them to form the product illustrated in FIG. 1.

A representative type product made by the apparatus of this invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. This figure shows a reinforced article in which the nonwoven open mesh is laminated between a lower sheet 11 and upper sheet 12 by means of a suitable adhesive 13. It will, of course, be appreciated that any suitable pattern angle may be formed by making adjustments in the component design and operation of the apparatus.

The netting is formed in the apparatus of this invention by achieving the accurate looping of a plurality of traversing strands around forwardly moving parallel spaced pins to form an open-mesh pattern. In the apparatus embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 the forwardly moving pins are mounted on the separate links 21 of two parallel endless chains 22 and 23 having roller 24. Each of these chains is supported by its roller 24 on chain support bars 17 and 18 (the latter being shown only in FIG. 14) which in turn are affixed to the frame and supported by a series of support shafts 19. Each chain 22 and 23 engages a forward sprocket and an end or driving sprocket. Forward sprocket 25 which is shown in FIG. 3 is associated with chain 22 and a similar sprocket not shown is associated with chain 23. These forward sprockets are mounted on forward shaft 28. Chains 22 and 23 are driven by sprockets 26 and 27 (FIG. 4) which are affixed to the main driving shaft 29. The mechanism by which shaft 29 is driven will be described below. The shafts 28 and 29 are mounted through suitable bearing means in parallel side frames 30 and 31 which in turn are supported by a series of vertical members such as frame supports 32 and 33. The number and disposition of such frame supports may vary and are a matter of structural design.

The pins 20, as shown in FIG. 5, are mounted in the chain links 21 so that they are inclined slightly outwardly toward the side frames to allow the strands (of thread, monofilament, yarn or the like) which are used to form the netting to slip to the bottom of the pins and be adequately anchored until the strands are cut loose. The pins 20 are preferably formed of a hard material, such as a hardened steel, to minimize friction and hence to minimize rupture of the strands and wear on the pins. If a single pin is mounted on a chain link, the length of the chain links 21 will determine the spacing intervals of the pins on the parallel chains 22 and 23 and will thereby also determine the spacing of the strands forming the netting. It is also, of course, within the scope of this invention to mount more than one pin on a link, to mount a pin only on certain links or to use any other suitable pin mounting means which can be advanced at a predetermined speed.

In the apparatus of FIGS. 2-4 there are provided means for superimposing a second mesh over a first-formed mesh, the purpose of this arrangement being to provide flexibility of mesh size as well as offering the possibility of using different strand material to form a mesh of two different types of strands. This means for superimposing a second mesh over a first also comprises two parallel rows of forwardly moving pins 34 mounted in links 35 of parallel endless chains 36 and 37. The pins, links and chains are constructed and spaced as previously described. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2-4 the second chains 36 and 37 are positioned outside chains 22 and 23 within frames 39 and 31, and are supported such as by support bar 42 of FIG. 3 in a plane above the plane in which chains 22 and 23 are supports. This prevents any unwanted contact between the second shuttle mechanism with the chains and pins carrying the first-laid mesh. A shaft 38 is provided for mounting two forward sprockets such as sprocket 39 of FIG. 3. These two forward sprockets have diameters which are larger than forward sprocket 25 to accommodate the chains, 36 and 37 traveling in a higher plane than the chains 22 and 23 associated with sprocket 25 and its equivalent. End sprockets 40 and 41 which drive chains 36 and 37 are of the same size and configuration as sprockets 26 and 27 and, like sprockets 26 and 27, are affixed to shaft 29 (FIG. 4). Sprockets 40 and 41 each have beveled down members (not shown) associated with them to guide chains 36 and 37 from their raised planes to engage sprockets 40 and 41. Endless chains 36 and 37 may, of course, be extended to the same length as chains 22 and 23 but this is not necessary. The second set of parallel rows of pins 34 and their attendant chains and driving mechanisms may, of course, be omitted from the apparatus; or additional pairs of parallel pins may be provided as desired. If additional shuttle mechanisms such as 96 are not used, then belts 22 and 23 may be shorter than shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. An alternative arrangement of a second set of pins and their driving mechanism is shown in FIGS. 12-14 and described below.

Between belts 22 and 23 is a spacing 45 which defines the width of the finished open-mesh netting, for it is across this spacing that the strands are drawn by a traversing shuttle mechanism 46 to be looped around and anchored to the forwardly moving pins, their direction of travel being indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2.

One embodiment of the shuttle mechanism is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 5 and 6 and shown in somewhat less detail in FIGS. 2 and 3. In all these drawings like reference numerals refer to like elements. The purpose of the shuttle is to direct the continuous strands 51 around the pins 20, the strands being supplied from bobbins 52 (FIG. 3), which are mounted in a suitable creel, not shown.

The shuttle mechanism traverses the width of spacing 45 with a cyclic stroke which permits the strands to be brought through adjacent pins, beyond the pins to encircle them on the outside and then through two different adjacent pins which have advanced during that portion of the cycle required to draw the strands around the outside of the pins. Throughout the entire cycle of operation both the shuttle mechanism and the pins remain in the same horizontal planes. Moreover, they are driven by a single driving means. Once the desired relationships are established between the forward speed of the pins and the traversing speed of the shuttle mechanism, the apparatus maintains continuously accurate and positive looping of all the strands.

One embodiment of a suitable shuttle mechanism is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 5-7. In this embodiment the shuttle mechanism 46 travels in two parallel shuttle tracks 55 and 56 affixed to side frames 30 and 31 and extending across the frames at right angles to the direction of travel of belts 22 and 23. These shuttle tracks are identical in construction and are formed of an upper grooved strip 57 and a lower grooved strip 58 held in spaced relationship by two spacing support members 59 and 60 (FIG. 5). A bar 61 is slidably mounted within the grooves defined by the strips 57 and 58 and to this bar 61 are mounted an inner plate 62 and outer plate 63 through suitable bolts 64. The entire traversing assembly of bar 61 and plates 62 and 63 is constructed and fit to permit free movement back and forth along the track defined by the grooved strips. Affixed to and supported by the traversing assembly is a strand tube support 65 which has a plurality of strand guide tubes 66 inserted through the bar forming the tube support. Within each guide tubes 66 is a passage 67 through which the strand is drawn. The position of the strand guide tube 66 with relationship to the pins 20 (or pins 34) is important. As will be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, it is necessary that these tubes be of such a length and so positioned relative to the upper surface of the chain belt link 21 and pins 20 that the strand is delivered from the bottom of the guide tube 66 at a point between the upper end of the pin and the chain link surface where the pin is joined to it. Delivery of the strand in this manner insures its locking onto the pin and its slipping downwardly on the inclined pin generally to touch the chain surface. If another mesh is to be laid over a first-formed mesh, this positive locking of the first mesh strands at the bottom of the pins means that another strand glide tube may pass over the first mesh without disturbing it.

FIG. 5 also illustrates the manner in which the strand guide tube 66 (shown in the dotted position) is caused to travel around a pin, extending beyond the outer limit of the pin to accurately loop the traversing strand around the forwardly moving pin. As will be explained, this relative positioning of guide tubes and pins and the precise timing and control of the various driving means makes the accurate anchoring of the strands possible. The spacing of guide tubes 66 should be equal to the spacing between the pins (or 34) or to a whole number multiple of the pin spacing. Generally, these spacings will be the same.

The strand tube support, and hence the strand guide tubes 66, is moved back and forth to traverse the spacing by a driving rod pivotally connected at one end to inner plate 62 through a suitable pin 71. As will be seen in FIG. 7, the other end of the driving rod 70 is affixed through two connecting member 72 and 73 and pin 74 to a parallel pair of linked chains 75 and 76 which in turn are engaged by sprockets 77 and 78 mounted on shafts 79 and 80 and by sprockets 81 and 82 mounted on shafts 83 and 84. Rotation of the shafts 79 and 80 turns chain belts 75 and 76 and drives the traversing assembly back and forth. Identical driving means are associated with each end of each traversing assembly as shown in FIG. 2.

Another embodiment of the traversing mechanism is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 wherein like reference numerals are used to identify the same components shown in FIGS. 6-7. In this embodiment, the shuttle tracks 55, and 56 of FIGS. 5 and 6 are replaced by shafts such as shaft 87 of FIGS. .8 and 9. Each shaft is mounted in shaft supports 88 and 89 afiixed to side frames 30 and 31. A lightweight block 90, slidably mounted on shaft 87 through bushing 91, is attached to driving rod 70 and to strand tube support 76 in the same manner as the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-7.

FIGS. 2-4 illustrate the incorporation of a second optional shuttle mechanism 96 positioned beyond the first. It has a strand tube support 97, operable on tracks 98 and 99, which is caused to traverse above the forwardly moving first-laid mesh to anchor strands to he outer pins 34 in belts 36 and 37, thus laying a second mesh on the first. This second shuttle mechanism 96 is constructed in the same manner as described for shuttle mechanism 46 except that the strand tube support 65 is mounted higher to accommodate the higher plane in which pins 34 move. Since the driving means are also identical to that for the first shuttle, this second shuttle mechanism need not be described in detail.

In the embodiment of the apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 2- 4, the endless belts 22, 23 and 36 and 37 and the shuttle driving belts 75 and 76 are all driven by the same motor 100 which by means of a suitable mechanical means (belt or chain 101) and sprocket 102 turns main drive shaft 103. This shaft, through suitable bearings which are not shown, is supported by a number of vertical supports 104 positioned along the side of frame 30. Mounted onmain drive shaft 103 are a series of driving gears 105, 106, 107 and 108. Gear engages driven gear 110 on shaft 79 to drive the left-hand outer shuttle chain 75; gear 106 engages driven gear 111 mounted on shaft 80 to drive inner shuttle chains 76; and gear 107 engages driven gear 112 mounted on shaft 81 to drive the right-hand outer shuttle chain 75. An identical driving system may be provided to drive the second shuttle mechanism 96, a portion of this being illustrated in gears 108 and 113.

Main drive shaft 103 is also used to drive the chain belts and to pull the paper which forms the laminate with the open-mesh netting through the machine. Shaft 29 (see particularly FIG. 4) is driven by drive shaft 103 through bevel gears 115 and 116. Shaft 103 is supported in bearing I21 mounted in frame which is attached to main frame 30. Driving sprockets 26 and 27 for chains 22 and 23 and driving sprockets 40 and .41 for optional chains 36 and 37 are mounted on shaft 29. Also mounted on shaft 29 is a driving sprocket 117 which engages chain 118 (FIG. 2) which in turn is used (as will be described) to provide all of the power required to pull the sheets of paper through the machine for forming the end product reinforced paper.

The various gears, chains and their driving sprockets must be so chosen as to attain a desired and predetermined relationship between the forward speed of the anchoring pins mounted on the endless chain belts and the traversing speed of the shuttle mechanism. This relationship of speeds is in turn fixed by the width of spacing 45 defined between the pins and the angle at which the strands are to be fixed in forming the mesh. As will be apparent from the drawing in FIG. 2, this relationship between the belt speed and the traversing speed of the shuttle must be so coordinated that at the end of a complete cycle the first or forward strand guide 66f of FIG. 2 is in position to loop its strand around the pin adjacent to the last pin which formed the forward anchoring pin during the immediately preceding cycle. This eliminates the possibility of any voids being left in the mesh. As will be seen in FIG. 10, the timing and stroke of the shuttle mechanism, and more particularly the distance which it travels outside the pin line, can be used to adjust the number of pins a particular strand is anchored around. FIG. 10 illustrates four modes of stand anchoring, the last strand of a given cycle being shown by a solid line 51 and the first or foremost strand of the next cycle being shown by a dotted line 51a. Thus, the timing and stroke of the shuttle mechanism may be such as to wrap a strand around any given number of pins, e.g., from one pin (FIG. 10A) to any number of pins (e.g., four pins as in FIG. 10D). In any case the rate of forward pin travel (vertical arrow) and the rate of traversing shuttle movement (horizontal arrow) must be such as to loop the forwardmost strand 51a around pin 20a which is the pin adjacent to the last pin 20 which formed the forward anchoring pin for the last strand in the immediately preceding cycle.

FIG. 11 illustrates the manner in which the embodiment of a second shuttle mechanism shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 may superimpose a second mesh on a first-formedmesh. In this illustration the second mesh strands 51s are drawn in dotted lines to distinguish from strands 51 of the first mesh. Typically, the second shuttle will be employed to halve the mesh size of the first-laid mesh. However, it may also incorporate strands of a different material into the mesh. It is, of course, within the scope of this invention to use any number of shuttle mechanisms in series as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 or as shown in an alternative embodiment in FIGS. 12-14.

The embodiment of the apparatus using a second shuttle shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 11 requires that the second chains be spaced further apart than the chains for forming the first netting. Once the netting of FIG. 11 has been formed, it is necessary to cutall of the strands along the inside edges of the two inside chains 22 and 23 to free the netting. It has been found that with some types of strand materials this may be somewhat difficult. Moreover, all of the strand material which extends from the point of cutting to the outside pins must be wasted. Finally, the timing of the two sets of chains illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 11 can sometimes introduce difficulties. The embodiment of this apparatus shown in FIGS. 12-14 overcomes any disadvantages which may be encountered in the apparatus of FIGS. 2 and 3 for superimposing a second netting over another first-laid netting. In these figures like reference numerals refer to likecomponents in the preceding figures.

The general arrangement of the pin-carrying chains is shown in a somewhat schematic manner without the shuttle or driving mechanisms in FIG. 12. The forward moving parallel rows of anchoring pins are mounted in the links 126 of chains having rollers 127 (FIGS. 13 and 14). The two parallel chains 130 and 131 are supported on chain support bars 132 and 133 which in turn rest on rollers 24 of chains 22 and 23, these latter chains carrying pins 20 on which the first netting was formed as previously explained.

The main frames 30 and 31 are extended upwardly at both ends of the two chains as shown for frame 31 at 31a and 31b. Frame extension 31a supports shaft 135 on which are mounted two forward idling sprockets such as sprocket 136 shown for chain 130. In like manner frame extension 31b supports shaft 137 on which are mounted two driving sprockets 138 and 139 (the latter being indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 14). A driving gear 140 is mounted on shaft 29 and engages a driven gear 141 on shaft 137 to provide the rotation of shaft 139 and the forward motion to chains 130 and 131. These gears will normally be in a 1 to 1 ratio since it will usually be preferable to drive both sets of parallel pin rows at the same speed; and as shown in FIG. 13 to have the upper pins in direct alignment with the bottom row.

As will be seen in FIG. 14, which employs the shuttle mechanisms of FIGS. 8 and 9, the shuttle moves within the opening between the upper and lower sections of chains 130 and 131. In this arrangement there is no possibility of the strand tubes of the second shuttle touching pins or of disrupting the first laid mesh which is, of course, on a lower horizontal plane. Moreover, the alignment of pins 20 and 125 is always accurate and the resulting double netting is laid so as to have overall accurate spacings throughout.

The mesh-forming apparatus of this invention is particularly suited to integration with and incorporation into apparatus for forming a laminate in which the nonwoven open-mesh netting is interposed between two materials, typically a flexible material such as paper. In FIGS. 3, 4 and 15 the apparatus for forming a laminate is illustrated in an embodiment suitable for making a reinforced paper laminate such as might be suitable for cutting into strips to form a reinforced gum tape.

Turning first to FIG. 15 which is a diagrammatic showing of the laminate forming apparatus, it will be seen that the finished mesh 150, whether of single or double layers, is bonded between two strips of paper, one strip 154 being drawn from a supply roll 155 over guide rolls 145, and the other strip 159 being drawn from supply roll 160 over a series of guide rolls 161, 162 and 163 and then through an adhesive applying means which in FIG. 15 is shown to comprise an adhesive reservoir 16S and a pair of coating rolls 166 and 167. Strip 159 with adhesive 170 on one side is then passed along with strip 154 and mesh 150 between them through the nip of two freely-rotating pressure-applying rolls 172 and 173.

After the laminate is formed in the nip of rolls 172 and 173, the netting must be freed from the pins. This is conveniently done by cutting the netting strands between the edges of the laminate and the pins. A knife blade 174 mounted in a knife support 175 (FIG. 3) severs the strands allowing the finished laminate 176 to be withdrawn from the mesh-forming apparatus.

The laminated strip 176 is then passed around roll 180 which is mounted for free rotation on shaft 29 (see also FIGS. 3 and 4). After passing around roll 180 the laminate 176 is contacted with chilling roll 181 and taken up on product takeup roll 182. Associated with takeup roll 182 are two drum wind rolls 184 and 185 mounted on shafts 186 and 187, respectively. Sprockets 188 and 189 mounted on shafts 186 and 187 and chain 190 provides a mechanical link between these drum wind rolls which are, in turn, driven by shaft 29 through chain 118. These drum wind rolls serve as the sole power to pull the paper, the open-mesh netting and the yarn strands through the apparatus.

The operation of the apparatus of this invention may be shuttle in some detail, using and 9, an example the formation of a 50-inch wide mesh having strands with al-inch lineal spacing. This example is, of course merely illustrative of one mode of operation and it is in no way meant to limit the operation of the apparatus to this particular example. Turning back to FIG. 2, this mode of operation sets the spacing of pins 21 in belts 22 and 23 at 1 inch and requires that belts 22 and 23 be so spaced as to make the distance between corresponding pins in the two belts slightly greater than 50 inches. The strand guide tubes 66 (FIG. 6) are likewise spaced 1 inch apart. Their actual number will depend upon the timing of the forward movement of the pins and the traversing speed of the shuttle. Moreover, the number of strands used, along with such timing control, will determine the angle at which thestrands are deposited. The shuttle driving mechanism, i.e., rod 70 and chains 75 and 76 are of a sufficient length to cause the strand tubes 66 to extend just beyond the pins in each belt 22 and 23 so that the strands are positively looped around the pins midway between their tops and the points at which they are joined to the links of the endless belts. Assume that the shuttle mechanism is in its leftmost position in FIG. 2. The pins 20 of belt 23 moving forward strike the strands which slip down on the pins and loop around them as the shuttle moves toward the right. By the time the shuttle assumes its rightmost position to effect engagement between the pins 20 on belt 22 the belts will have advanced half the distance defined by the width of the shuttle. Then when the shuttle completes the cycle by returning to the leftmost position, the uppermost strand tube (as seen in FIG. 2) will be in position to loop its strand on the pin 20 of belt 23 which is adjacent to the lowermost pin 20 around which a strand was looped at the beginning of the cycle. Thus, with this timing and control, there are no voids created in the open-mesh nettings.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 this precise timing of the forward moving belts and of the chains driving the shuttle is attained through proper choice of gear ratios and sprocket sizes. It is also, of course, possible to achieve it by other arrangement known in the art, including separate but synchronized driving motors for shaft 29 and rods 70, and a variety of gear arrangements. However, a single driving means mechanically linked as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 is preferred. It is, of course, necessary to provide driving means which attain the timing described. Similar means are provided for coordinating the traversing motion of additional shuttles such as shuttle assembly 96 and its associated endless belts carrying pins. Some adjustment may be required in the relative alignment of the pins in belts 22 and 23 with the pins in belts 40 and 41 so that the second mesh structure is superimposed with the desired relationship to the first formed mesh. This relationship may readily be determined for any one apparatus.

By consistently achieving a positive anchoring of each strand to a pin through the relationship of strand guide tube to pin, by maintaining the predetermined rate of travel of the endless belts and traversing shuttle, by initially forming the netting in its final width, and by keeping the shuttle and pins in the same horizontal planes at all times, it is possible with the apparatus of this invention to operate over an extended period of time without having to shut down for repairing ruptured strands or for having to cut out sections of the mesh because of voids in it. The mesh formed may be introduced directly into a laminating apparatus thus eliminating the necessity for rolling it up for future use.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for forming a nonwoven open-mesh netting, comprising in combination a. parallel endless belt means defining between them a spacing of predetermined width essentially equivalent to the width of the netting to be formed;

b. a plurality of strand-anchoring pins inclined slightly outwardly from said spacing and affixed at intervals to said belt means, said pins being in alignment across said spacing and remaining during net formation in a fixed horizontal plane;

c. shuttle means operable within a fixed horizontal plane parallel to said plane of said pins, said shuttle means comprising parallel track members extending across said spacing and beyond said belt means and a strand guide bar holding a plurality of strand guides spaced at intervals corresponding to said intervals between said pins and affixed to bar support means slidably movable along said track members; said shuttle means being adapted to traverse at least one section of said belt means across said spacing, the bottom discharge end of said strand guides terminating below the tops of said pins and the motion of said shuttle means being such that each of said strand guides passes through an interval between two adjacent pins, around the outside of at least one pin and through an interval between two advanced, adjacent pins;

d. main drive shaft means;

e. means to rotate said main drive shaft means;

f. belt-moving means mechanically linked to said main drive shaft means and adapted to advance said pins in a forward direction at a predetermined speed; and

g. shuttle moving means mechanically linked to said main drive shaft means and adapted to cause said strand bar support means to traverse said spacing in said plane, said shuttle moving means comprising in combination 1. parallel driving rods pivotally attached to the ends of said strand bar support means,

2. a parallel pair of endless chains associated with each of said parallel driving rods, means to mechanically link each of said driving rods to its associated pair of endless chains whereby movement of said pairs of chains effects the transverse motion of said rods and said shuttle means, and endless chain driving means driven by said main drive shaft means; the operation of said shuttle moving means being so timed and coordinated with said belt moving means that at the end of a complete cycle of shuttle means motion the forwardmost strand guide is in a position to loop a strand around the pin adjacent to the last pin which formed the forward anchoring pin for the last strand in the immediately preceding cycle.

2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said parallel endless belt means comprise a first pair of endless belts adapted to form a first underlying netting and at least one additional pair of parallel endless belts adapted to form a superimposed netting over said first and any succeedingly formed netting.

3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said additional pair of parallel endless belts are mounted so as to advance the pins affixed thereto during net formation in a horizontal plane above the plane of the pins on which said first netting is formed.

4. An apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said additional pair of parallel endless belts are positioned outside said first pair.

5. An apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said additional pair of parallel endless belts are positioned entirely above said first pair, and said netting is formed on the bottom portion of said second pair of belts above said first netting.

6. An apparatus for forming a nonwoven open-mesh netting, comprising in combination a. a frame structure;

b. a pair of parallel endless belts defining between them a spacing of predetermined width essentially equivalent to the width of the netting to be formed, said belts being mounted within said frame structure to define parallel movable endless loops having upper net-forming sections and lower sections;

c. belt supporting means associated with said frame structure and adapted to maintain the upper net-forming sections of said belts in a fixed horizontal plane;

(1. a plurality of strand-anchoring pins inclined slightly outwardly from said spacing and affixed at intervals to each of said belts, said pins being in alignment across said spacing and remaining during net formation in a fixed horizontal plane;

e. belt shaft and sprocket means adapted to drive said belts in a forward direction at a predetermined speed;

f. a main drive shaft mechanically linked to said belt shaft and sprocket means;

g. driving means directly linked to said main drive shaft means;

h. shuttle means operable within a fixed horizontal plane parallel to said plane of said pins, said shuttle means comprising parallel track members extending across said spacing and beyond said belt means and a strand guide bar holding a plurality of strand guides spaced at intervals corresponding to said intervals between said pins and affixed to bar support means slidably movable along said track members; said shuttle being adapted to traverse at least one section of said parallel belts across said spacing, the bottom discharge end of said strand guides terminating below the tops of said pins and the motion of said shuttle means being such that each of said strand guides passes through an interval between two adjacent pins, around the outside of at least one pin and through an interval between two advanced adjacent pins; and

i. shuttle-moving means mechanically linked to said main drive shaft and adapted to cause said strand bar support means to traverse said spacing in said plane, said shuttle moving means comprising in combination 1. parallel driving rods pivotally attached to the ends of said strand bar support means,

2. a parallel pair of endless chains associated with each of said parallel driving rods,

3. means to mechanically link each of said driving rods to its associated pairs of endless chains whereby movement of said pairs of chains effects the transverse motion of said rods and said shuttle means, and

4. endless chain driving means driven by said main drive shaft; the operation of said shuttle moving means being so timed and coordinated with the rotation of said belt shaft and sprocket means that at the end of a complete cycle of shuttle means motion the forwardmost strand guide is in a position a loop a strand around the pin adjacent to the last pin which formed the forward anchoring pin for the last strand in the immediately preceding cycle.

7. An apparatus for forming a nonwoven openmesh netting, comprising in combination a. a frame structure;

b. a first pair of parallel endless belts defining between them a spacing of predetermined width essentially equivalent to the width of the netting to be formed, said belts being mounted in said frame structure to define parallel movable endless loops having upper net-forming sections and lower sections;

c. first belt-supporting means associated with said frame structure and adapted to maintain the upper net-forming sections of said first pair of belts in a fixed horizontal plane;

d. a plurality of first strand-anchoring pins affixed at intervals to each of said first pair of belts, said first pins being in alignment across said spacing and remaining during net formation in a fixed horizontal plane;

e. a second pair of parallel endless belts defining between them a spacing substantially equal to said spacing defined between said first pair of belts, said belts being mounted in said frame structure to define parallel movable endless loops having net-forming sections;

f. second belt-supporting means adapted to maintain the net-forming sections of said second pair of parallel belts in a fixed horizontal plane above said fixed horizontal plane in which said upper net forming sections of said first pair of belts are maintained;

g. a plurality of second strand-anchoring pins affixed at intervals to each of said second pair of belts, said second pins being in alignment across said spacing and remaining during net formation in a fixed horizontal plane above that of said first pins;

. belt shaft and sprocket means adapted to drive said first and second parallel pairs of belts in a forward direction at a predetermined speed;

i. a main drive shaft mechanically linked to said belt shaft and sprocket means;

j. driving means directly linked to said main drive shaft means; separate shuttle means associated with each pair of belts, each of said shuttle means being operable within a fixed horizontal plane parallel to said plane of the pins of the associated belts, said shuttle means comprising parallel track members extending across said spacing and beyond said belt means and a strand guide bar holding a plurality of strand guides spaced at intervals corresponding to said intervals between said pins and affixed to bar support means slidably movable along said track members; said shuttle means being adapted to traverse at least one section of said associated parallel belts across said spacing, the bottom discharge end of said strand guides terminating below the tops of said associated pins and the motion of said shuttle means being such that the each of said strand guides passes through an interval between two adjacent pins, around the outside of at least one pin and through an interval between two advanced adjacent pins; and

. shuttle-moving means for each of said shuttle means mechanically linked to said main drive shaft and adapted to traverse said strand guides back and forth in their plane, each of said shuttle-moving means comprising rods pivotally attached to said bar support means and means mounted on endless chains driven through sprockets by said main drive shaft and being so timed and coordinated with the rotation of said belt shaft and sprocket means that at the end of a complete cycle of shuttle means motion that forwardmost strand guide is in a position to loop a strand around the pin adjacent to the last pin which formed the forward anchoring pin for the last strand in the immediately preceding cycle.

8. An apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said second pair of parallel endless belts are shorter than said first pair, said second pair being adapted to superimpose a netting on a first netting formed on said pins of said first pair of parallel belts.

9. An apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein said second pair of parallel belts are outside said first pair.

10. An apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein said second pair of parallel belts are mounted entirely above said first pair, the bottom section of said loops being said net-forming section of said second pair of belts, and wherein said shuttle means operates within said loops defined by said second pair of belts.

11. An apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein said first and second pairs of belts are chains comprising links and rollers, and wherein said second belt supporting means are supported by the rollers of said first pair of belts.

12. An apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein said belt shaft and sprocket means for said first and second parallel pairs of belts are separate and mechanically linked.

13. An apparatus for forming a laminate in the form of a nonwoven open-mesh netting interposed between two flexible materials, comprising in combination a. parallel endless belt means defining between them a spacing of predetermined width essentially equivalent to the width of the netting and greater than the width of the laminate to be formed;

. a plurality of strand-anchoring pins inclined slightly outwardly from said spacing and affixed at intervals to said belt means, said pins being in alignment across said spacing and remaining during net formation in a fixed horizontal plane;

c. shuttle means operable within a fixed horizontal plane parallel to said plane of said pins, said shuttle means comprising parallel track members extending across said spacing and beyond said belt means and a strand guide bar holding a plurality of strand guides spaced at intervals corresponding to said intervals between said pins and affixed to bar support means slidably movable along said track members; said shuttle being adapted to traverse at Ill least one section of said belt means across said spacing, the bottom discharge end of said strand guides terminating below the tops of said pins and the motion of said shuttle means being such that each of said strand guides passes through an interval between two adjacent pins, around the outside of at least one pin and through an interval between two advanced adjacent pins;

d. main drive shaft means;

e. means to rotate said main drive shaft means;

f. belt-moving means mechanically linked to said main drive shaft means and adapted to advance said pins in a forward direction at a predetermined speed;

. shuttle-moving means mechanically linked to said main drive shaft means and adapted to cause said strand bar support means to traverse said spacing in said plane, said shuttle means comprising in combination 1. parallel driving rods pivotally attached to the ends of said strand bar support means,

a parallel pair of endless chains associated with each of said parallel driving rods,

e. means to mechanically link each of said driving rods to its associated pairs of endless chains whereby movement of said pairs of chains effects the transverse motion of said rods and said shuttle means, and

. endless chain driving means driven by said main drive shaft means; the operation of said shuttle moving means being so timed and coordinated with said belt moving means that at the end of a complete cycle of shuttle means motion the forwardmost strand guide is in a position to loop a strand around the pin adjacent to the last pin which formed the forward anchoring pin for the last strand in the immediately preceding cycle;

pressure applying laminating means positioned to receive the nonwoven openmesh netting while still anchored to said pins;

i. means to supply first and second flexible materials, directly to said laminating means to interpose said netting therebetween; and

j. means for cutting the strands forming said netting near said pins thereby to permit the laminate formed to be withdrawn from said apparatus.

14. An apparatus in accordance with claim 13 wherein said parallel endless belt means comprise a first pair of endless belts adapted to form a first underlying netting and at least one additional pair of parallel endless belts adapted to form a superimposed netting over said first and any succeedingly formed netting, said additional pair of parallel endless belts being mounted so as to advance the pins affixed thereto during net formation in a horizontal plane above the plane of the pins on which said first netting is formed.

15. An apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein said additional pair of parallel endless belts are positioned entirely above said first pair, and said netting is formed on the bottom portion of said second pair of belts above said first netting.

16. An apparatus for forming a laminate in the form of a nonwoven open-mesh netting interposed between two flexible materials, comprising in combination a. a frame structure;

b. a pair of parallel endless belts defining between them a spacing of predetermined width essentially equivalent to the width of the netting to be formed, said belts being mounted within said frame structure to define parallel movable endless loops having upper net-forming sections and lower sections;

c. belt-supporting means associated with said frame structure and adapted to maintain the upper net-forming sections of said belts in a fixed horizontal plane;

. a plurality of strand-anchoring pins inclined slightly outwardly from said spacing and affixed at intervals to each of said belts, said pins being in alignment across said spacing and remaining during net formation in a fixed horizontal plane;

e, belt-driving means adapted to drive said belts in a forward direction at a predetermined speed;

f. a main drive shaft mechanically linked to said belt-driving means;

g. primary driving means directly linked to said main drive shaft means;

h. shuttle means operable within a fixed horizontal plane parallel to said plane of said pins, said shuttle means comprising parallel track members extending across said spacing and beyond said belt means and a strand guide bar holding a plurality of strand guides spaced at intervals corresponding to said intervals between said pins and affixed to bar support means slidably movable along said track members; said shuttle being adapted to traverse at least one section of said parallel belts across said spacing, the bottom discharge end of said strand guides terminating below the tops of said pins and the motion of said shuttle means being such that each of said strand guides passes through an interval between two adjacent pins, around the outside of at least one pin and through an interval between two advanced adjacent pins;

. shuttle-moving means mechanically linked to said main drive shaft and adapted to cause said strand bar support means to traverse said spacing in said plane, said shuttlemoving means comprising in combination 1. parallel driving rods pivotally attached to the ends of said strand bar support means,

2. a parallel pair of endless chains associated with each of said parallel driving rods,

3, means to mechanically link each of said driving rods to its associated pairs of endless chains whereby movement of said pairs of chains effects the transverse motion of said rods and said shuttle means, and

4. endless chain-driving means driven by said main drive shaft; the operation of said shuttle moving means being so timed and coordinated with the rotation of said beltdriving means that at the end of a complete cycle of shuttle means motion the forwardmost strand guide is in a position to loop a strand around the pin adjacent to the last pin which formed the forward anchoring pin for the last strand in the immediately preceding cycle;

j. laminating roller means positioned to receive the nonwoven open-mesh netting while still anchored to said pins;

k. means to supply first and second flexible materials directly to said laminating roller means;

I. means to apply adhesive to that surface of said second flexible material which contacts said netting;

m. means for cutting the strands forming said netting near said pins thereby to permit the laminate formed to be withdrawn from said apparatus; and

n. means to withdraw said laminate from said apparatus.

17. An apparatus in accordance with claim 16 wherein said means to withdraw said laminate from said apparatus comprises a takeup roll driven by drum wind roll means, said drum wind roll means being in turn driven by said belt-driving means, whereby the entire apparatus is driven by said primary driving means.

18. An apparatus for forming a laminate containing a nonwoven open-mesh netting, comprising in combination a. a frame structure;

b. a first pair of parallel endless belts defining between them a spacing of predetermined width essentially equivalent to the width of the netting to be formed, said belts being mounted in said frame structure to define parallel movable endless loops having upper net-forming sections and lower sections;

c. first belt supporting means associated with said frame structure and adapted to maintain the upper net-forming sections of said first pair of belts in a fixed horizontal plane;

d. a plurality of first strand-anchoring pins affixed at intervals to each of said first pair of belts, said first pins being in alignment across said spacing and remaining during net formation in a fixed horizontal plane; e. a second pair of parallel endless belts defining between them a spacing substantially equal to said spacing defined between said first pair of belts, said belts being mounted in said frame structure to define parallel movable endless loops having net-forming sections;

second belt-supporting means adapted to maintain the netforming sections of said second pair of parallel belts in a fixed horizontal plane above said fixed horizontal plane in which said upper net-forming sections of said first pair of belts are maintained;

g. a plurality of second strand-anchoring pins affixed at intervals to each of said second pair of belts, said second pins being in alignment across said spacing and remaining during net formation in a fixed horizontal plane above that of said first pins;

h. belt shaft and sprocket means adapted to drive said first and second parallel pairs of belts in a forward direction at a predetermined speed;

i. a main drive shaft mechanically linked to said belt shaft and sprocket means;

j. driving means directly linked to said main drive shaft means;

k. separate shuttle means associated with each pair of belts, each of said shuttle means being operable within a fixed horizontal plane parallel to said plane of the pins of the associated belts, said shuttle means being adapted to traverse at least one section of said associated parallel belts across said spacing and having a plurality of strand guides spaced at intervals corresponding to said intervals between said pins, the bottom discharge end of said strand guides terminating below the tops of said associated pins and the motion of said shuttle means being such that each of said strand guides passes through an interval between two adjacent pins, around the outside of at least one pin and through an interval between two advanced adjacent pins;

1. shuttle moving means for each of said shuttle means mechanically linked to said main drive shaft and adapted to traverse said strand guides back and forth in their plane, each of said shuttle moving means being so timed and coordinated with the rotation of said belt shaft and sprocket means that at the end of a complete cycle of shuttle means motion the forwardmost strand guide is in a position to loop a strand around the pin adjacent to the last pin which formed the forward anchoring pin for the last strand in the immediately preceding cycle;

m. laminating roller means positioned to receive the nonwoven open-mesh netting while still anchored to said pins;

in. means to supply first and second flexible material directly to said laminating roller means;

0. means to apply adhesive to that surface of said second flexible material which contacts said netting;

p. means for freeing the strands from said anchoring pins to permit the laminate formed to be withdrawn from said apparatus; and

q. means to withdraw said laminate from said apparatus. 

2. a parallel pair of endless chains associated with each of said parallel driving rods,
 2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said parallel endless belt means comprise a first pair of endless belts adapted to form a first underlying netting and at least one additional pair of parallel endless belts adapted to form a superimposed netting over said first and any succeedingly formed netting.
 2. a parallel pair of endless chains associated with each of said parallel driving rods, e. means to mechanically link each of said driving rods to its associated pairs of endless chains whereby movement of said pairs of chains effects the transverse motion of said rods and said shuttle means, and
 2. a parallel pair of endless chains associated with each of said parallel driving rods,
 2. a parallel pair of endless chains associated with each of said parallel driving rods,
 3. means to mechanically link each of said driving rods to its associated pair of endless chains whereby movement of said pairs of chains effects the transverse motion of said rods and said shuttle means, and
 3. means to mechanically link each of said driving rods to its associated pairs of endless chains whereby movement of said pairs of chains effects the transverse motion of said rods and said shuttle means, and
 3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said additional pair of parallel endless belts are mounted so as to advance the pins affixed thereto during net formation in a horizontal plane above the plane of the pins on which said first netting is formed.
 3. means to mechanically link each of said driving rods to its associated pairs of endless chains whereby movement of said pairs of chains effects the transverse motion of said rods and said shuttle means, and
 4. endless chain driving means driven by said main drive shaft; the operation of said shuttle moving means being so timed and coordinated with the rotation of said belt shaft and sprocket means that at the end of a complete cycle of shuttle means motion the forwardmost strand guide is in a position a loop a strand around the pin adjacent to the last pin which formed the forward anchoring pin for the last strand in the immediately preceding cycle.
 4. An apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said additional pair of parallel endless belts are positioned outside said first pair.
 4. endless chain driving means driven by said main drive shaft means; the operation of said shuttle moving means being so timed and coordinated with said belt moving means that at the end of a complete cycle of shuttle means motion the forwardmost strand guide is in a position to loop a strand around the pin adjacent to the last pin which formed the forward anchoring pin for the last strand in the immediately preceding cycle; h. pressure applying laminating means positioned to receive the nonwoven open-mesh netting while still anchored to said pins; i. means to supply first and second flexible materials, directly to said laminating means to interpose said netting therebetween; and j. means for cutting the strands forming said netting near said pins thereby to permit the laminate formed to be withdrawn from said apparatus.
 4. endlEss chain-driving means driven by said main drive shaft; the operation of said shuttle moving means being so timed and coordinated with the rotation of said belt-driving means that at the end of a complete cycle of shuttle means motion the forwardmost strand guide is in a position to loop a strand around the pin adjacent to the last pin which formed the forward anchoring pin for the last strand in the immediately preceding cycle; j. laminating roller means positioned to receive the nonwoven open-mesh netting while still anchored to said pins; k. means to supply first and second flexible materials directly to said laminating roller means; l. means to apply adhesive to that surface of said second flexible material which contacts said netting; m. means for cutting the strands forming said netting near said pins thereby to permit the laminate formed to be withdrawn from said apparatus; and n. means to withdraw said laminate from said apparatus.
 4. endless chain driving means driven by said main drive shaft means; the operation of said shuttle moving means being so timed and coordinated with said belt moving means that at the end of a complete cycle of shuttle means motion the forwardmost strand guide is in a position to loop a strand around the pin adjacent to the last pin which formed the forward anchoring pin for the last strand in the immediately preceding cycle.
 5. An apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said additional pair of parallel endless belts are positioned entirely above said first pair, and said netting is formed on the bottom portion of said second pair of belts above said first netting.
 6. An apparatus for forming a nonwoven open-mesh netting, comprising in combination a. a frame structure; b. a pair of parallel endless belts defining between them a spacing of predetermined width essentially equivalent to the width of the netting to be formed, said belts being mounted within said frame structure to define parallel movable endless loops having upper net-forming sections and lower sections; c. belt supporting means associated with said frame structure and adapted to maintain the upper net-forming sections of said belts in a fixed horizontal plane; d. a plurality of strand-anchoring pins inclined slightly outwardly from said spacing and affixed at intervals to each of said belts, said pins being in alignment across said spacing and remaining during net formation in a fixed horizontal plane; e. belt shaft and sprocket means adapted to drive said belts in a forward direction at a predetermined speed; f. a main drive shaft mechanically linked to said belt shaft and sprocket means; g. driving means directly linked to said main drive shaft means; h. shuttle means operable within a fixed horizontal plane parallel to said plane of said pins, said shuttle means comprising parallel track members extending across said spacing and beyond said belt means and a strand guide bar holding a plurality of strand guides spaced at intervals corresponding to said intervals between said pins and affixed to bar support means slidably movable along said track members; said shuttle being adapted to traverse at least one section of said parallel belts across said spacing, the bottom discharge end of said strand guides terminating below the tops of said pins and the motion of said shuttle means being such that each of said strand guides passes through an interval between two adjacent pins, around the outside of at least one pin and through an interval between two advanced adjacent pins; and i. shuttle-moving means mechanically linked to said main drive shaft and adapted to cause said strand bar support means to traverse said spacing in said plane, said shuttle moving means comprising in combination
 7. An apparatus for forming a nonwoven open-mesh netting, comprising in combination a. a frame structure; b. a first pair of parallel endless belts defining between them a spacing of predetermined width essentially equivalent to the width of the netting to be formed, said belts being mounted in said frame structure to define parallel movable endless loops having upper net-forming sections and lower sections; c. first belt-supporting means associated with said frame structure and adapted to maintain the upper net-forming sections of said first pair of belts in a fixed horizontal plane; d. a plurality of first strand-anchoring pins affixed at intervals to each of said first pair of belts, said first pins being in alignment across said spacing and remaining during net formation in a fixed horizontal plane; e. a second pair of parallel endless belts defining between them a spacing substantially equal to said spacing defined between said first pair of belts, said belts being mounted in said frame structure to define parallel movable endless loops having net-forming sections; f. second belt-supporting means adapted to maintain the net-forming sections of said second pair of parallel belts in a fixed horizontal plane above said fixed horizontal plane in which said upper net forming sections of said first pair of belts are maintained; g. a plurality of second strand-anchoring pins affixed at intervals to each of said second pair of belts, said second pins being in alignment across said spacing and remaining during net formation in a fixed horizontal plane above that of said first pins; h. belt shaft and sprocket means adapted to drive said first and second parallel pairs of belts in a forward direction at a predetermined speed; i. a main drive shaft mechanically linked to said belt shaft and sprocket means; j. driving means directly linked to said main drive shaft means; k. separate shuttle means associated with each pair of belts, each of said shuttle means being operable within a fixed horizontal plane parallel to said plane of the pins of the associated belts, said shuttle means comprising parallel track members extending across said spacing and beyond said belt means and a strand guide bar holding a plurality of strand guides spaced at intervals corresponding to said intervals between said pins and affixed to bar support means slidably movable along said track members; said shuttle means being adapted to traverse at least one section of said associated parallel belts across said spacing, the bottom discharge end of said strand guides terminating below the tops of said associated pins and the motion of said shuttle means being such that the each of said strand guides passes through an interval between two adjacent pins, around the outside of at least one pin and through an interval between two advanced adjacent pins; and
 8. An apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said second pair of parallel endless belts are shorter than said first pair, said second pair being adapted to superimpose a netting on a first netting formed on said pins of said first pair of parallel belts.
 9. An apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein said second pair of parallel belts are outside said first pair.
 10. An apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein said second pair of parallel belts are mounted entirely above said first pair, the bottom section of said loops being said net-forming section of said second pair of belts, and wherein said shuttle means operates within said loops defined by said second pair of belts.
 11. An apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein said first and second pairs of belts are chains comprising links and rollers, and wherein said second belt supporting means are supported by the rollers of said first pair of belts.
 12. An apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein said belt shaft and sprocket means for said first and second parallel pairs of belts are separate and mechanically linked.
 13. An apparatus for forming a laminate in the form of a nonwoven open-mesh netting interposed between two flexible materials, comprising in combination a. parallel endless belt means defining between them a spacing of predetermined width essentially equivalent to the width of the netting and greater than the width of the laminate to be formed; b. a plurality of strand-anchoring pins inclined slightly outwardly from said spacing and affixed at intervals to said belt means, said pins being in alignment across said spacing and remaining during net formation in a fixed horizontal plane; c. shuttle means operable within a fixed horizontal plane parallel to said plane of said pins, said shuttle means comprising parallel track members extending across said spacing and beyond said belt means and a strand guide bar holding a plurality of strand guides spaced at intervals corresponding to said intervals between said pins and affixed to bar support means slidably movable along said track members; said shuttle being adapted to traverse at least one section of said belt means across said spacing, the bottom discharge end of said strand guides terminating below the tops of said pins and the motion of said shuttle means being such that each of said strand guides passes through an interval between two adjacent pins, around the outside of at least one pin and through an interval between two advanced adjacent pins; d. main drive shaft means; e. means to rotate said main drive shaft means; f. belt-moving means mechanically linked to said main drive shaft means and adapted to advance said pins in a forward direction at a predetermined speed; g. shuttle-moving means mechanically linked to said main drive shaft means and adapted to cause said strand bar support means to traverse said spacing in said plane, said shuttle means comprising in combination
 14. An apparatus in accordance with claim 13 wherein said parallel endless belt means comprise a first pair of endless belts adapted to form a first underlying netting and at least one additional pair of parallel endless belts adapted to form a superimposed netting over said first and any succeedingly formed netting, said additional pair of parallel endless belts being mounted so as to advance the pins affixed thereto during net formation in a horizontal plane above the plane of the pins on which said first netting is formed.
 15. An apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein said additional pair of parallel endless belts are positioned entirely above said first pair, and said netting is formed on the bottom portion of said second pair of belts above said first netting.
 16. An apparatus for forming a laminate in the form of a nonwoven open-mesh netting interposed between two flexible materials, comprising in combination a. a frame structure; b. a pair of parallel endless belts defining between them a spacing of predetermined width essentially equivalent to the width of the netting to be formed, said belts being mounted within said frame structure to define parallel movable endless loops having upper net-forming sections and lower sections; c. belt-supporting means associated with said frame structure and adapted to maintain the upper net-forming sections of said belts in a fixed horizontal plane; d. a plurality of strand-anchoring pins inclined slightly outwardly from said spacing and affixed at intervals to each of said belts, said pins being in alignment across said spacing and remaining during net formation in a fixed horizontal plane; e. belt-driving means adapted to drive said belts in a forward direction at a predetermined speed; f. a main drive shaft mechanically linked to said belt-driving means; g. primary driving means directly linked to said main drive shaft means; h. shuttle means operable within a fixed horizontal plane parallel to said plane of said pins, said shuttle means comprising parallel track members extending across said spacing and beyond said belt means and a strand guide bar holding a plurality of strand guides spaced at intervals corresponding to said intervals between said pins and affixed to bar support means slidably movable along said track members; said shuttle being adapted to traverse at least one section of said parallel belts across said spacing, the bottom discharge end of said strand guides terminating below the tops of said pins and the motion of said shuttle means being such that each of said strand guides passes through an interval between two adjacent pins, around the outside of at least one pin and through an interval between two advanced adjacent pins; i. shuttle-moving means mechanically linked to said main drive shaft and adapted to cause said strand bar support means to traverse said spacing in said plane, said shuttle-moving means comprising in combination
 17. An apparatus in accordance with claim 16 wherein said means to withdraw said laminate from said apparatus comprises a takeup roll driven by drum wind roll means, said drum wind roll means being in turn driven by said belt-driving means, whereby the entire apparatus is driven by said primary driving means.
 18. An apparatus for forming a laminate containing a nonwoven open-mesh netting, comprising in combination a. a frame structure; b. a first pair of parallel endless belts defining between them a spacing of predetermined width essentially equivalent to the width of the netting to be formed, said belts being mounted in said frame structure to define parallel movable endless loops having upper net-forming sections and lower sections; c. first belt supporting means associated with said frame structure and adapted to maintain the upper net-forming sections of said first pair of belts in a fixed horizontal plane; d. a plurality of first strand-anchoring pins affixed at intervals to each of said first pair of belts, said first pins being in alignment across said spacing and remaining during net formation in a fixed horizontal plane; e. a second pair of parallel endless belts defining between them a spacing substantially equal to said spacing defined between said first pair of belts, said belts being mounted in said frame structure to define parallel movable endless loops having net-forming sections; f. second belt-supporting means adapted to maintain the net-forming sections of said second pair of parallel belts in a fixed horizontal plane above said fixed horizontal plane in which said upper net-forming sections of said first pair of belts are maintained; g. a plurality of second strand-anchoring pins affixed at intervals to each of said second pair of belts, said second pins being in alignment across said spacing and remaining during net formation in a fixed horizontal plane above that of said first pins; h. belt shaft and sprocket means adapted to drive said first and second parallel pairs of belts in a forward direction at a predetermined speed; i. a main drive shaft mechanically linked to said belt shaft and sprocket means; j. driving means directly linked to said main drive shaft means; k. separate shuttle means associated with each pair of belts, each of said shuttle means being operable within a fixed horizontal plane parallel to said plane of the pins of the associated belts, said shuttle means being adapted to traverse at least one section of said associated parallel belts across said spacing and having a plurality of strand guides spaced at intervals corresponding to said intervals between said pins, the bottom discharge end of said strand guides terminating below the tops of said associated pins and the motion of said shuttle means being such that each of said strand guides passes through an interval between two adjacent pins, around the outside of at least one pin and through an interval between two advanced adjacent pins; l. shuttle moving meanS for each of said shuttle means mechanically linked to said main drive shaft and adapted to traverse said strand guides back and forth in their plane, each of said shuttle moving means being so timed and coordinated with the rotation of said belt shaft and sprocket means that at the end of a complete cycle of shuttle means motion the forwardmost strand guide is in a position to loop a strand around the pin adjacent to the last pin which formed the forward anchoring pin for the last strand in the immediately preceding cycle; m. laminating roller means positioned to receive the nonwoven open-mesh netting while still anchored to said pins; n. means to supply first and second flexible material directly to said laminating roller means; o. means to apply adhesive to that surface of said second flexible material which contacts said netting; p. means for freeing the strands from said anchoring pins to permit the laminate formed to be withdrawn from said apparatus; and q. means to withdraw said laminate from said apparatus. 